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Sep 15, 2010

With the influx of celebrities in town for the Toronto International Film Festival, companies are working hard to ensure that their products get seen by the right people. Gifting suites have been erected in Toronto's swankiest hotels and only the notable are receiving invites. While many of these suites tend to carry the same type of swag, Tastemakers Lounge is setting themselves apart by gifting celebrities and select media (me!) with unique Canadian goodies.

Photo Credit: Central Image Agency Inc.

The sixth annual Tastemakers Lounge invited talent and VIPs to experience their Fresh Goods in Yorkville's Intercontinental Hotel. With three interactive stations and lots of unique products to sample, Tastemakers is an A-Listers dream.

Photo Credit: Alanna Glicksman

The modern white decor let the products shine, and I eagerly loaded my eco-friendly Me + Youbag with these new must-have Canadian products.
- The fold-up ballerina-style flats squeezing their way into every girl's purse, Damn Heels
- Nanoblur, making you look 10 years younger in 40 seconds
- Chic woven handbags from Canadian designer du jour, Jessica Jensen
- The latest beauty trends from affordable fashion retailer Joe Fresh
- Loves Legions, the stylish dog tags merging the military style with blinging Swarovski crystals

Photo Credit: Central Image Agency Inc.

I wasn't the only one to scoop up the latest and greatest Canadian gear. On hand for Tastemakers' TIFF festivities were: A Night for Dying Tigers' Kathleen Robertson (above) who scooped up a Jessica Jensen woven purse; True Blood's Ryan Kwanten (above) who snagged GUATS' bamboo t-shirt; Good Neighbors' Emily Hampshire scooped up the HD-necessity, nanoblur; Twilight star Jackson Rathbone picked up a few Loves Legions dog tag necklaces; teen queen Abigail Breslin picked up the post-party must-have, Damn Heels; and Terrence Howard scooped up Loves Legions necklaces for himself and a Jessica Jensen clutch for his wife.

Photo Credit: Central Image Agency Inc.

Aside from the made in Canadian element, what really set Tastemakers Lounge a step above the rest was its unique charity initiative. In support of SickKids Foundation, Tastemakers partnered with high-end online auction company Vonality to auction off Mattel games autographed by talent. From Tuesday, September 21 to Friday, October 1, don't forget to bid on your favorite star's autographed game at www.vonality.com/mattel.

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